By day, Mike Prigodich works at a software company, though as a kid he dreamt of becoming a professional jazz musician. It might have ended right there, but for a bout with cancer that began in November 2008. Inspired by the post-diagnosis successes of Lance Armstrong, with whom he sharedRead More

by Tom Johnson Spinning up Mercurial was like jumping in a time machine set for somewhere around 60-75 years ago. The Asylum Street Spankers bravely blazed their own trail far outside of mainstream music, offering pre-Charlie Parker swing jazz and jump-blues that once kept the flappers cavorting across dancefloors allRead More

by Mark Saleski No fireworks here, just some very heartfelt jazz trio music lead by Israeli pianist Ari Erev. With a mix of original compositions, Israeli songs, and selected standards (including a beautiful “Turn Out The Stars” as program closer), Erev succeeds in displaying his love of this music. ‘HalfRead More

Taking in the first solo steps by a budding jazz talent is usually an excursion into a fresh new discovery. Most of time, these performances are polished and if there are originals, they can be surprisingly well developed You May Also Like: Marquis Hill – The Way We Play (2016)Read More

An interesting recording from a period in which Lee Konitz wasn’t always all that interesting. You May Also Like: Lucas Lee – ‘Lowered Expectations’ (2018)

by Mark Saleski It can be a tough thing to witness an aging musician head toward (or past) the point of no return. You May Also Like: East Axis [Matthew Shipp, Allen Lowe, Kevin Ray + Gerald Cleaver’ – ‘Cool With That’ (2021)

by Mark Saleski You’ve gotta love what Branford Marsalis is all about. In today’s music industry, where creativity is mostly overlooked in favor of bottom-line issues, Branford made a break in advance of this album from his long-time record label You May Also Like: Branford Marsalis, Lucas Lee, Tim MorseRead More

by Mark Saleski I am shocked to say that this recording left me cold. Shocked because it’s got Abdullah Ibrahim on it! There certainly are some great moments, such as the solo piano opening track (“Green Kalahari”) and the sprightly “Mandela”; come on, the melody is played on the irresistibleRead More

by Mark Saleski The opening track of Joey Calderazzo’s Amanecer, for once, gave the listener some insight into where the pianist was headed. You May Also Like: Badfinger’s Joey Molland – The Pilgrim (1992): Forgotten Series Joey Alexander – ‘Origin’ (2022) Joey DeFrancesco, with Pharoah Sanders – ‘In the KeyRead More

by Mark Saleski This album had two strikes against it before I heard a single note: 1. the almost nude shot on the back cover, Barsh covering what mama gave him with a melodica and 2. keyboards. You May Also Like: Dr. John’s anger over Katrina powered The City ThatRead More